Report: Zeiss&#39; full-frame Android-powered ZX1 camera to be released on October 29, cost $6K

For half the money I could get a Leica SL and an L mount lens in this focal length-and it isn't made in China.

I don't have a problem with Chinese made stuff, but for six grand and with the Zeiss name on it, I expect to be paying socialized living wage craftsmen (when they aren't on their 8 weeks a year of guaranteed vacation because why can't we have nice things in the USA?!?!) to build it.

Oct 31, 2020permalink

Jerome Utopik

Great body and idea,
but really too expensive!
Happy to test despite everything for the photo report for a direct edition of the images :)

Oct 28, 2020permalink

marc petzold

Its such a shame, that the RX1/RX1R II Zeiss Distagon 35mm F2 Lens does use two Helicoids, and is not being adaptable to E-Mount, due to the special Construction.

I've seen these Distagons being sold 3rd Party for as low as 70 EUR, last Winter, online.

Now, they cost at least 130 EUR, which is still a bargain, if it would being possibly to adapt them. But all Sources say no, sad but true.

Good Light.

Oct 28, 2020*permalink

Eric Hensel

Sometimes the desirability of a thing is inversely proportional to the ability to obtain and use it ;)

Oct 29, 2020permalink

goactive

I liked the idea of it for maybe $1200 but $6000 no way.

Oct 28, 2020permalink

Sranang Boi

Who in their right mind would buy a camera like this? Too big to hang around your neck, and to grotesque to get admiring glances from fellow photographers.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

AbrasiveReducer

It would be tough to get by without admiring glances from other photographers. I think it needs more knobs and some buttons marked "Fn".

Oct 28, 2020permalink

There are no strap eyelets. This camera is too cool to hang around your neck.

No, I take it back, there are indentations. So the metal strap rings can promptly destroy the corners of the camera.

Oct 31, 2020permalink

dr.noise

i'll just go straight to the comments

Oct 27, 2020permalink

354essar

Looks like the strap lugs are in a bad place on the front corner so it'll hang really badly.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

PDYFlyfish

Typical of some to bellyache about the price. I do plan on purchasing it when it is released. I will keep it in the glove box of my Porsche.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

stephens1

Will it fit?

Oct 29, 2020permalink

PDYFlyfish

Just barely.

Nov 3, 2020permalink

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irakly_Shanidze

If I had 6k to spend on camera gear right now, this would definitely not be what I buy. Even if I had to spend it on camera equipment....nope. There are so many other things you can get for so much less - you have to truly be desperate for a conversation piece to buy this...

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

WastingTime

From the store warehouse to a collector's urn.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Kostasm

beautiful camera, I expect extraordinary IQ though at that price level

Oct 27, 2020permalink

PortraitLover

The red dot cousins didnt produced any and cost more. Price is not directly equated to IQ.

Oct 28, 2020permalink

chadley_chad

Made for Brooklyn Beckham!

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Richard Head III

Why? Is that a wealthy neighbourhood in Brooklyn?

Oct 29, 2020permalink

palli

Interesting camera (and expensive, but not that much) ... my favourite camera, is the Sony RX1RII, same setup, fixed 35mm Zeiss lens in much smaller body + lens. The quality of the Sony makes my happy, every time, I press the shutter. The lens difference, the Zeiss has Distagon design, Sony Sonnar. What is interesting that Distagon is wide-angle design an Sonnar wide to normal, meeting at 35 mm.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Irakly Shanidze

They have been tinkering with this camera for so long that by the time it is out, it is already outdated. Not to mention some serious competition from you know who 😂

Oct 27, 2020permalink

PC-dot-Com

Yep, surprised they even decided to sell it at all. Too much concept here, not that it's bad, it just doesn't feel "complete" to me.

Btw, this is you right?

Nov 1, 2020permalink

Irakly Shanidze

guilty as charged

Nov 9, 2020permalink

PC-dot-Com

Hopefully Zeiss are paying attention to the comments section here ;)

Nov 10, 2020permalink

abracadabenhotmailfr

This suddenly makes the Leica Q2 a real bargain.....
I am not sold on Android cameras.... or TVs. I have 4 70 to 85" sony high end TVs running Android and the OS is pretty sluggish. slow, buggy, unresponsive 20% of the time....
Camera+Android for me is doomed to get in your way... Thats like the opposite of what I want from a camera :/

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Seems like you bought wrong TV since your TV use slow processor. I recommend buy traditional LCD/LED TV + Android TV box. You can buy Android TV box which has faster processor and cheaper. E.g. Google Chromecast with Google TV only cost USD 50.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

abracadabenhotmailfr

well Im not looking for cheap TV. more at the top tier for IQ... not many models with 77" OLED or 85" FALD. Plus beside that Sony image processing is top notch.

I cant see myself having to update my camera all the time, or facing bugs :/.
I would just rather use my phone to be honest. I dont see the point of paying $6K for an android camera :)... 37mp 3fps and f2 :0 great lens ok but I think the Q2 blows that away plus it doesnt run Android :D

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

jxh

Android phones are pretty fast. My phone goes from locked to operating camera (using the doubleclick on the power button) in under a second. Should be able to do similar with a camera.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Speed of Android depend on processor/RAM. Normally, low-end Android slow because use lowest end processor and not enough RAM.

Below is Android Gaming machine which provide enough fast response for gamers.
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Auricom 007

@jxh of course its fast considering its has a minimum of 4gigs of RAM. Does your camera have that or more? I have a hunch any camera with that amount of memory will be fast. Hell you would have LightRoom apps downloaded on the camera itself at that point. Along with Snapseed & the others. Why not add bluetooth everything & you wouldn't need a pc or tablet anymore. ..

Oct 28, 2020permalink

Most of Android smartphone which sell > USD 200 already has at least 4GB ram and decent processor. These Android phone run pretty fast.

I still didn't understand why consumer accept camera which sell > USD 500 has lag screen / menu.

Oct 28, 2020permalink

JakeJY

This is a known problem on Sony TVs. Part of it limited processing power (a Nvidia Shield for example would not have this issue, nor do even most basic phones).

Part of it is the bloatware in the Sony TVs. There's a variety of fixes suggested like deleting the data/cache in the Sony Shelf and Sony Select apps, doing a hard reboot occasionally (holding green power button for 10 seconds). Also some issues are simply caused by low batteries in the remote.

Oct 28, 2020permalink

entoman

Looks like a design stolen from Sigma, and restyled by Porsche.

Interesting as a conversation piece I suppose, and it may even take decent photos.

But the folk (plural?) who buy this will probably getting it as a status symbol or fashion statement, so will likely never get as far as pressing the shutter button...

Oct 27, 2020permalink

dr.noise

I think they won't buy it because of Android, they most probably have iOS on all gadgets.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Mateus1

Sure, one of the worst Zeiss camera.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

WastingTime

Compared to which? They haven't done a camera since the 70's

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Mateus1

To all past Zeiss.
And Zeiss have produced cameras for much longer time.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

In the era of zillion ISO this camera is pathetic plus can only shoot up to 1/1000 sec - not sure what H stands for but look like it is not manually selectable.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Welsh

I’ve ordered a Leica Q2. Combined with my iPad Pro running Lightroom, this combination costs the same as the Zeiss, and will be better. Even a 35mm crop on the Leica is still 30 mega pickles.... plus the Q2 is kind of beautiful and the Zeiss is a hideous brick.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

TomCodyPleasedToMeetYa

That does rather jump out. Such limited shutter speed. It's just hard to see who wants or needs this camera. You could use a Ricoh GRiii and edit on your phone for far less.

Oct 28, 2020permalink

Fuji X-100T, F, V and same deal with the phone.. plus real shutter, built in ND filter, film sims, legitimate ergos, won't stop working after the subscription runs out. I know the Fujifilm app isn't as seamless, but for a third the money (camera and tablet of your choice) I'll wait a few seconds sometimes.

On a six grand camera, they could only kick down a year's worth of full functionality? As in, after a year I am required to pay Adobe to use the edit functions?!

Oct 31, 2020permalink

@Mr Bolton: You camera possibly would be bricked once you Adobe subscription run out. But suppose if you can afford such a camera subscription is chicken feed

Oct 31, 2020permalink

The idea of having to continue to pay someone to make my camera work has no appeal. Even if I had the money.

Oct 31, 2020permalink

vegetaleb

What an horrible design, they took a 2$ box of plastic and sticked a lens on it, then they will sell it at 6000$ because there is a Zeiss logo on it

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Kostasm

I bet you vote Trump

Oct 27, 2020permalink

@Kostasm I bet you're a troll

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

I love how "I bet you vote tRump" is hurled as an invective.

No, seriously-I hope this sticks as a way of saying what a fool someone was/is. How easily misled, suckered in by a sideshow huckster of fake, failed brands. I hope that invective remains-as synonymous with failure. That's the legacy of the tRump name: failure.

Oct 31, 2020permalink

vegetaleb

Very "democratic" from you to assault someone because he doesn't share your beliefs

Oct 31, 2020permalink

pseudobreccia

I'm sure this is going to be a great camera...but I am not sure how many they will be able to sell for that price. I'd like to have one...but for that price...I can buy into a medium format camera.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

pseudobreccia:

I didn't know that Zeiss makes lenses for medium format cameras any longer. Years ago Zeiss made lenses for Hasselblads. There was a Contax digital 645 in the early 2000s. That had Zeiss (approved) lenses. They were excellent. I owned the Contax/Zeiss 85mm f/2.0 and mounted it, via adapter, on my Contax N1 film body. That Contax digital 645 body didn't run Android, and it was very big--the size of a Pentax 645Z body.

But now in late 2020, I'm not aware of a medium format camera body that runs Android, with a lens supplied by any party.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Six grand is a GFX 50R and two lenses, with careful shopping. or a Z7 and a couple high end Z mount lenses. Or an R5 and a new RF lens. Heck, an A7C and a bunch of lenses!

This camera isn't what you'd call a value proposition.

Oct 31, 2020permalink

Mr Bolton:

And though sharp, plenty of the Fuji GF lenses are lacking. Something that Zeisses don't.

Also wasn't aware that the Sony A7C or the Fuji GFX100 can run Lightroom.

Oct 31, 2020permalink

MN13

Definitely, a must-have for any collector of fixed 35mm focal length FF cameras. (Have quite a collection myself but I am not a collector.)

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Dr Gal

I have a few fixed lens cameras (all film), all cheap and cheerful, this new Zeiss will cost 60 times more than the most expensive of them, an Olympus 35LC. Ten years from now the mighty Zeiss will be inoperable due to software issues while the Oly, the Konica, the Minolta, the Retina and even the humble Retinette will still March on.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Les Lammers

No digital camera body will ever be a true collectible.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

MN13

"No digital camera body will ever be a true collectible"

On second thought, I am not quite sure where my tongue was relative to my cheek when I wrote that the ZX1 is must-have for any collector of fixed 35mm focal length FF cameras.

It may be the last fixed 35mm focal length FF camera, film or digital, ever produced! Certainly, is rather unique, and by far the biggest fixed 35mm focal length FF camera.

I see no reason why it should become inoperative because of software issues. Should work for decades unless Lightroom is subscription only and, if "classic" version, will be discontinued eventually.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

MN13

I see no reason why the ZX1 should become inoperative because of the software becoming out-of-date. Software might age quickly but doesn't wear out, and generally has no expiration date. Should work for decades unless Lightroom is subscription only and, if "classic" version, might get discontinued within the next years. (Don't know which battery is used and if and when battery replacement might become an issue.)

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

I'll use the free SnapSeed app on my free phone, but thanks anyway Zeiss.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

soundimageplusblog

Interesting how judgements can be made without anyone testing it out. Plus I'm not sure the market that would use something like this is prepared to spend €6000 on it. File next to Hassleblad Lunar. David Beckham probably has his pre order in.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

draleks

"Interesting how judgements can be made without anyone testing it out." Because it's ugly :(

Oct 27, 2020permalink

AKH

I think very few will spend $6000 when they can get great image image quality with other cameras that are much cheaper.

But I think it looks like an interesting camera and will be looking forward to a review.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Peter1976

One does not have to own this camera to see that a digital camera that relies on third party software might be unusuable one day. So yes, one can judge about the concept of the camera.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

FoxShutter

When it’ll go on sale , as “Hasselblad “ Lunar did once at B&H , I’ll buy it.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

$4k! What a bargain! Exclamation points!

Oct 27, 2020permalink

adengappasami

A good camera and an IPAD Pro still will be half the cost and will get the job done. A niche product that will never be sold to many or any . Only time will tell. I rather get an Ipad Pro for everything i need on the go.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

lnsmr

Actually, Leica Q2 (or Sony RX1M2) + smartphone would be a better combination. You can easily download photos using a smart card reader and upload right away. I have a hard time believing that ZX1 being as fast as iPhone 12 when running LR.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Merida

Premium Androids already go for 2K. Add premium sensor (+2K), add premium lens (+2K) and there you are. Plus it's got free premium software I hear.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Now mid-range Android phone already has similar feature and speed of high-end Android phone. E.g. Huawei P40 vs Huawei P40 Pro. Google Snapseed is free.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

But the Zeiss isn't a premium android.
It has a tiny low res screen, no phone, none of the other stuff.

A Sony 7R4 + Android with at least a FHD screen is a better combo and cheaper.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Dr Gal

Cheapo Chinese phone with superior processor and LCD -- 100USD
FF sensor + processor -- 1200USD (at the very most)
Lens -- 1200USD (based on Batis 40/2, includings mfg and retailer margin. The ZX1 lens is of simpler design 8/5 vs 9/8 and I suspect it is also inferior).
There is no bargain here. This is a 2500 dollars camera. You pay for the brand and the design and not for the hardware. And due to its design it will become obsolete in 3-4 years and inoperable in 10 years or less.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Less than 10 years. If they don't offer constant updates it's going to suffer from performance and possibly security issues soon.

The best company to take on this challenge is Sony as they already design and manufacture great android phones and design and manufacture great FF cameras, they haven't done it, so I'm guessing the super smart people at one of the (if not the) largest electronics companies has deemed it unviable.

I'm guessing Zeiss knows it's also unviable but also knows they will be able to fleece some poor brand snob saps into paying $6K, some or all of it up front.

I wonder what it's like to be both rich and so emotionally unstable you need a $6K camera that does nothing a $3K solution can't, just slightly slower.

Oct 28, 2020permalink

You crossed that line where colloquial language turns into psychiatric diagnosis over what, Melindra?

Oct 28, 2020*permalink

Merida

"to be both rich and so emotionally unstable you need a $6K camera"

WT hell does that mean?

Oct 28, 2020permalink

The sentence doesn't make sense?
Apologies, English is my third language.

Why pay $6K when you can (be smart and) pay half and have more?

How's that? Can we be friends now?

Oct 28, 2020permalink

rbach44

Why all the hate? Yes its too expensive by a fair amount, but so are a lot of other cameras. It IS (from the sound of it at least) made in Germany.

It also has an in house designed Zeiss sensor and matched Zeiss lens,
Real in-camera editing with Lightroom, a ton of built in storage, Finally some more fixed lens cameras? There's some cool stuff in here. And at least its something new.

Sure, its too expensive by a lot. Personally, its not for me but this just may be something cool. I for one welcome it.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

IMO Ricoh GR 3 which allow customize WB, filter better than this camera.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Elisam

LOL - You know absolutely NOTHING about this camera.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Made In Germany with Eastern European labor

Oct 27, 2020permalink

mgrum

@rbach44 "Why all the hate?"

Hi, you must be new here. Welcome to dpreview.

Oct 29, 2020permalink

stephens1

Hi, you must be new here. Welcome to dpreview.

Oct 29, 2020permalink

Tim Gallo

its humongous...

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Auricom 007

That's what she said

Oct 27, 2020permalink

adengappasami

Dream on...thats what she actually said

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Snappy Happy

I have often wondered why we don't have a camera that can function as a smartphone... or have one that at least can use your phone's network to upload pictures to the internet and cut out having to transfer it to your phone first. Will this camera also be able to use aps like Lightroom in camera, as well?

Oct 27, 2020permalink

If camera can direct connect to internet without phone, it means it able hack by someone when connect to internet.

Smartphone is different since it always get security fix patch/update from Google/Apple.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

Sranang Boi

The Panasonic CM-1 achieved that years ago.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

jxh

Samsung tried that years ago, didn't sell.

Things are different now, but still running a separate phone account for the camera, with the high price of high res uploads makes the phone part less attractive. Wifi, however....

Oct 27, 2020permalink

fmian

My 2 year old el-cheapo smartphone has 3x cameras on it. Smartphones these days are more camera than standalone cameras. I can attach macro and telephoto lenses to them. It has a higher res and bigger viewing screen than any standalone camera I've seen. I can take some pretty nice photos with it too. Not sure what you think we DON'T have and need more of.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

@forest dream
Look like I have to install Norton to my camera soon !!!

Oct 30, 2020permalink

apestorm

The camera itself is interesting to me but they are going to lose so much money on it at that price.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Zvonimir Tosic

Has anyone ever seen it in person, or tried a prototype? I think, once, it was displayed somewhere …

Oct 27, 2020permalink

https://m.dpreview.com/articles/1799282416/zeiss-zx1-hands-on-with-the-full-frame-android-camera

ZT:

Yes, I saw it in person. It was in a case, so I could not handle it, let alone try it. It's much bigger than the Leica Q.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

Elisam

Well I guess it doesn't exist then?

Oct 27, 2020permalink

hfolkertsma

I get it, there are many Q2 customers that would rather have a true 35mm than a 28mm that needs to crop. Not to mention it’s a niche camera and very unique in terms of its specification.

If money weren’t a factor, I’d buy it.

Oct 26, 2020permalink

GiovanniB

I'd prefer the beautifully designed and crafted Q2 any day over such a, sorry, expensive electronic toy, the half-life of which will be very limited, at least if it is connected to the internet and depending on updates from Adobe and Google like a smartphone.

Also, the Q2 has so much croppability that a 28mm lens is more versatile and reasonable than a 35mm.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

hfolkertsma

Again. Lots of customers would prefer a 35mm against a cropped 28mm.

What do you base your opinion of the build quality on?

I base mine on their hands-on. I don’t doubt the Zeiss to be any less well crafted than a Q2. The Q2 is arguably more traditional in its shape and styling.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

saab900

Na 6k I rather have a monochrome Leica Q2 when it's released not that a can afford it.

Oct 26, 2020permalink

Turbguy1

Look awfully slippery.

Can you make a call with it?

Oct 26, 2020*permalink

Photoman

...Mahahahaha!!!...Oh, your serious?

Oct 26, 2020permalink

David610

This camera ought to be delivered to you by Concorde ... I guess the Cessna Citation X+ will have to do?

Oct 26, 2020permalink

jackspra

Be good to see the gallery when you get one from zeiss.

Oct 26, 2020permalink

Raist3d

I think I rather get a Leica Q2

Oct 26, 2020permalink

Ilia Snopchenko

At that price, yes.

They should know something's wrong when a comparable Leica starts looking like a good value proposition. :)

Oct 27, 2020permalink

joshxiv

Not bad. Looks larger than I'd like.
But, aperture dial, shutter speed dial, ISO dial. Check, check, check.
But wait, where's my distance scale?
So, it's basically a Fuji.

Oct 26, 2020permalink

PatDav

Some Fuji have an exposure compensation dial.

Oct 26, 2020permalink

MHshooter

No one wants to jerk around with a TINY screen when dealing with a phone-type interface. That's why phone makers desperately try to figure out ways to increase screen real-estate, even by trailing it over the edge. That is why this camera is large.

Oct 26, 2020permalink

joshxiv:

Fuji? How so?

It has a full framed sensor, not an MF or APSC sensor. It doesn't really look like either the GFX-50R or the X100T, and it doesn't have the X100's hybrid VF.

Oct 27, 2020*permalink

h1pst3r88

This is more like the love child of a Leica X and Leica TL2... in other words, "Zzzzzz".

Oct 26, 2020permalink

h1pst3r88:

The TL2 looks like an iPhone 4/5--but bigger with dials. It doesn't have a built in EVF, and this Zeiss is much bigger, besides not looking like an iPhone.

There are 4 different Leica Xs with fixed focal length lenses, 5 if you count the XU. Admittedly the first 3 look very very similar and there are only 2 different lenses for the 5 cameras, so call it 3 Leica Xs with fixed focal length lenses. All are APSC sensored and NOT one has a built in EVF.

Oct 27, 2020permalink

moimoi

October Fools Joke. I know 2020 has been a weird year ;-)

Oct 26, 2020permalink

jxh

October surprise....

Oct 27, 2020permalink

MUSTDOS

Why do I feel this is more justified than a Leica M-10R?

Oct 26, 2020permalink

Panachromic

Because of system error :D

Oct 26, 2020permalink